How to Call a Cell Phone Using a PC for Free

By Geoff Whiting

Your computer can be a very able-bodied phone with the right software installed. Voice and video services offer you a wide range of options for making calls from your PC to a cell phone. Many services offer free calls when you’re calling another subscriber to that particular service. However, Google Voice offers you free, unlimited-length calling to domestic cell phones once you create an account.

Calling With Google Voice

Step 1

Navigate to the Google Voice page and install the voice and video chat plugin (see link in Resources). You will need to sign up for a Google account if you do not have one already.

Step 2

Follow the steps to get your Google Voice phone number or to tie your Google Voice account to your cell phone.

Step 3

Navigate to Gmail and sign in (link available in Resources).

Step 4

Click the telephone icon below your list of mailboxes. This will cause a dial pad to appear.

Step 5

Dial the number you wish to call and press “Call.” Google will now call the number and use your computer’s microphone and speakers to allow you to chat with friends.

Free Software-Based Calls

Step 1

Download a voice service that allows you to call other service subscribers for free. Services that allow free calling between members include Skype, iCall and Viber.

Step 2

Verify that the service is installed on both your PC and the smartphone you want to call.

Step 3

Run the service on both your PC and the mobile phone. Setting up a time to talk on the phone will help ensure that the app is running on the cell phone as well.

Step 4

Place the call within the service. To avoid data charges, the smartphone user may need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Free Website Calling

Step 1

Navigate to Lumicall or another website that allows for free calling to certain subscribers (link in Resources).

Step 2

Type in the number you wish to call.

Step 3

Click “Allow” if prompted to give the site access to your microphone.

Step 4

Click “Connect” to connect to a call that has been properly dialed once the service verifies that the person you’re calling is available and is a subscriber.

Tips & Warnings

Establishing a time to call someone makes it easier to successfully place service-to-service calls.

Using a headset may improve the audio quality of the call.

Many Web services allow you to freely call other members of the service. However, you may be charged for calls to people who are not also members.

Not every service will warn you about this before connecting your call to a non-member; it's possible you may incur a cost without realizing it.